Admissions |Language Requirements
Source: https://graduate.rice.edu/admissions/language-proficiency-requirements Parent: https://graduate.rice.edu/
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Applicants who are foreign nationals and those whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English proficiency. This can be shown by any of the following:
- Proof of degree from an accredited U.S. high school, college, or university.
- A qualified TOEFL score as below:
- For exams taken before January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90
- For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026:,we require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.5
- At least 7 on the IELTS.
- At least 115 on the Duolingo test of English proficiency.
- Proof of completion (or expected completion) of a post-secondary degree from an institution where the official language of instruction is in English*.
For 2026, Rice will not accept the ITP Plus test to evaluate English language proficiency, but scores/interviews are able to be reported to Rice as a supplemental material via Vericant.
English Language Testing
TOEFL
\ Click here for more, or use Rice's discount code directly: RICETOEFL15
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is one testing option for for any student that needs to meet this requirement.
- The ETS Reporting code for Rice University is 6609, scores should be sent directly to Rice through the testing organization.
- The TOEFL is administered through the Educational Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 USA [telephone (609) 771-7100]. You can also send an e-mail to toefl@ets.org or a center in your native country.
- Test-takers should score at least 90 on the iBT TOEFL or iBT Home Edition TOEFL.
- Only the best composite TOEFL score is accepted; myBest scores are not accepted. For helpful information on preparing for the TOEFL, click here.
IELTS
Students whose native language is not English may also use the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).\ IELTS is owned, developed and delivered through the partnership of the British Council, IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. You can get more information about the IELTS at http://www.ielts.org or send an e-mail to ielts@ieltsintl.org.
- International applicants who choose to take the IELTS should plan to take the Academic IELTS test or, for 2021, the IELTS Indicator.
- Scores can be reported directly to Rice using the name "Rice University Graduate Admissions."
- For students who choose to take the IELTS in lieu of TOEFL, the minimum score is 7.
- For helpful tips on preparing for the IELTS, click here.
Duolingo
The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour for only $49. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with [institution name] when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.
- Applicants to Rice must earn at least a 115 on the Duolingo English Test.
- To prepare or take the test, click here.
*Please allow two weeks for all scores to be reported to Rice. For more information on score reporting, click here.
Countries in which English is the Official Language of Instruction
Please ensure that your academic history includes the country of instruction as appropriate.
| American Samoa | Grenada | South Africa |
| Anguilla | Guam | South Pacific Islands |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Guyana | St. Helena |
| Australia | Ireland (Republic of) | St. Kitts and Nevis |
| Bahamas | Ireland (Northern) | St. Lucia |
| Barbados | Jamaica | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Belize | Malta | Scotland |
| Bermuda | Mauritius | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Canada | Montserrat | Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Cayman Islands | New Zealand | Uganda |
| England | Nigeria | United Kingdom |
| Falkland Islands | Ryukyu Islands | USA |
| Fiji | Seychelles | Virgin Islands |
| Gibraltar | Singapore | Wales |
International Universities
Applicants with credentials from the following institutions in the designated countries above will have met the English Language Requirement in accordance with the above policy. In addition, students who have, or are expected to complete a post-secondary degree, have met the English requirement.
If this applies to you, please ensure that you enter your institution on your application exactly as it appears below and that the language is identified as English.
Applicants should not contact the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies directly regarding any waivers.
| Country | University |
| Bangladesh | - Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) - Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology - Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology - Independent University - Islamic University of Technology - Khulna University of Engineering and Technology - North South University - Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) - Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Engineering programs only) |
| Botswana | - University of Botswana |
| Bulgaria | - American University in Bulgaria |
| Eritrea | - University of Asmara |
| Ethiopia | - Addis Ababa University - Alemaya University - Jimma University |
| Egypt | - American University in Cairo |
| Germany | - International University - Jacob's University |
| Ghana | - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology - University of Cape Coast - University of Ghana |
| Hong Kong | - City University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Hong Kong University of Science & Tech - University of Hong Kong |
| India | - Aligarh Muslim University - Anna University - Arunachal University - Assam Agricultural University - Berhampur University - Birla Institute of Technology (Ranchi) - Birla Institute of Technology and Science - Cochin University of Science & Technology - Gauhati University - Indian Institute of Management (Bangalore) - Indian Institute of Science - Indian Institute of Science Education & Research Bhopal - Indian Institute of Technology (All campuses) - Indian School of Mines - Jadavpur University - Karnatak University - Kerala Agricultural University - Konkan Agricultural University - Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda - Mahatma Gandhi University - Manipur University - National Institute of Technology Calicut - National Institute of Science and Education Research, Bhubansewa - Sambalpur University - Symbiosis Institute of Technology - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University - Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University - Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology - University of Calcutta - University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh - University of Hyderabad - University of Kashmir - University of Kerala - University of North Bengal - Utkal University - West Bengal University of Technology |
| Kenya | - Catholic University of Eastern Africa - Egerton University - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agric & Tech - Kenyatta University - Maseno University - Moi University - University of Eastern Africa - Baraton - University of Nairobi |
| Kuwait | - Kuwait University (Faculties of Science, Engineering and Petroleum, Allied Health Science, Medicine and the Department of English |
| Lebanon | - Lebanese American University - American University of Beirut |
| Lesotho | - National University of Lesotho |
| Malawi | - University of Malawi |
| Namibia | - University of Namibia |
| Pakistan | - Aga Khan University - Gomal University - Goverment College University, Lahore - Hamdard University - Lahore University of Management Sciences - Mehran University of Engg & Technology - NED University of Engg & Technology - NWFP Agricultural University - NWFP University of Engg & Technology - Quaid-I-Azam University - Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam - Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology - University of Agriculture, Faisalabad - University of Engg & Technology, Lahore - University of Health Sciences - University of Punjab, Lahore |
| Papua New Guinea | - Papua New Guinea University of Technology - University of Goroka - University of Papua New Guinea |
| Philippines | - Adamson University - Far Eastern University - Mindanao State University - National University - Silliman University - University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos - University of San Carlos - Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan |
| Rwanda | - University of Rwanda |
| Samoa | - University of the South Pacific |
| Saudi Arabia | - King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals |
| Sierra Leone | - University of Sierra Leone |
| Sri Lanka | - University of Moratuwa - University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka |
| Tanzania | - Mzumbe University - Sokoine University of Agriculture - University of Dar es Salaam |
| Thailand | - Asian Institute of Technology - Assumption University - Mahidol University |
| Turkey | - Atilim University - Bilkent University - Bogazici University - Izmir Institute of Technology - Koc University - Middle East Technical University |
| United Arab Emirates | - American University of Sharjah |
| Zambia | - Copperbelt University - University of Zambia |
| Zimbabwe | - National University of Sci & Tech - University of Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe Open University |
Updated January 2026